Posted By dale on August 17, 2008
Aspartame was developed as a treatment for Peptic Ulcers. As the story goes, the chemist licked his fingers and discovered an ultra sweet taste. Suddenly, the former ulcer drug became the new sweetener kid on the block. At 180 times sweeter than sugar and zero calories, Aspartame is now in over 9,000 products and brings in 1 billion dollars a year.
As of today, even though it is classified as a food additive rather than a drug, Aspartame accounts for a large percentage of adverse reactions reported to the FDA. Some of the reactions include initiation or aggravation of diabetes mellitus, assorted types of headaches, depression, hypertension, arthritis, simulation of MS, etc. The bitter truth is that this product can be very toxic.
Aspartame is scientifically known as 1-ASPARTYL,1-PHENYLALANINE METHYL ESTER. Phenylalanine and Aspartic Acid are amino acids normally supplied by the foods we consume and are regarded harmless because they occur in combinations with other amino acids. Separated out, these two amino acids enter the central nervous system in high concentrations causing neural damage.
Known as excitotoxins, these two acids show a particular hazard to the developing nervous system of children. The damage is not detectable at the time, but may later result in disturbances in the neuroendocrine function of adolescents. The most dangerous toxin is the Methyl Ester that goes into the blood stream as Methanol or better known as wood alcohol. It is metabolized into Formaldehyde and Formic Acid.
The EPA lists Formaldehyde as a carcinogen while the FDA lists it as GRAS (generally recognized as safe) thus making it legal to go into food. Despite real alarms raised by researchers and consumer advocates, the real coup was selling a weight conscious America a product designed to fight weight gain yet actually causes obesity. America has more than doubled its overweight population from the mid 80’s to a staggering 54%.
When you consume Aspartame, there is a reflex in the brain which is the reaction to the sweet, the Cephalic Phase Response. In response to the sweetness on the tongue, the brain programs the liver to prepare for new energy (sugar). Since no real nutrient is available, the liver will produce signals that result in the urge to eat, and so the cycle repeats over and over.
Why would you ever want to ingest this product with numerous odd problems associated with it in addition to the weight issue? Mother Nature has provided natural sweeteners and, of course, sugar. Do your research. Step away from toxic chemicals. Go to www.nationaljusticeleague.com and look at the lawsuits filed because of Aspartame.
Until next time, as always,
Dale
The above views are of the author only.
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